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Sep
17
We’re bringing a guest post home today. One that all began with Marta’s {do guincho} first commercial pattern: The Bubble Shorts. Read below how we ‘flipped’ it…..and for the month of September, you can take advantage of an introductory price of FOUR DOLLARS {discount code: RELEASE1} to secure this pattern for yourself!! Seriously – can it get any better?!?!
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Hi, See Kate Sew readers!! We are tickled to be here with you today….sharing some ‘ruffling goodness’ of our own!! Truth be told: We aren’t particularly known for our ruffling abilities in creations sewn for our nieces, but we took Kate’s challenge and are glad we did!
“The Bubble Ruffle Shorts”
{using a recently released pattern, Bubble Shorts by do guincho, as a starting point}
*Please note, however, you may choose to use this technique with any basic shorts pattern, sewn as your lining. Then, by adding desired width and height to the same pattern pieces, you can create outer shorts with a similar effect.
We began with the following pieces:
How did we modify do guincho‘s original, 3T pattern pieces?
** Please note: modifications will vary depending on size **
1. Decrease lining piece length by 3/8″ at leg openings.
2. Decrease main shorts pieces length by 1 1/8″ at leg openings.
3. Split the main shorts pattern pieces into upper and lower sections – both for the front and back pieces – by cutting 3 1/8″ from the top of the upper pattern pieces {this accounts for 3/8″ seam allowances}.
4. Add 3/8″ back to the lower pattern pieces – to account for the seam allowance where they will be reattached.
5. Eliminate 2 inches {width} per upper shorts pattern pieces {all the upper back and front pieces}. Yes…we eliminated 8 inches from the original pattern – just in the upper section of the main shorts. The lower section pieces width remained the same.
What preliminary sewing steps were done prior to ruffle placement?
1. Sew the shorts lining, per instructions.
2. Sew a narrow hem on the two ruffle edges, using a hemmer foot. {*we forgot to shoot a picture of this step, so here is a photo of the narrow hem after attachment}
3. Run gathering stitches through each ruffle.
What were the steps to creating the final, ‘ruffled’ outcome??
FOR THE MAIN SHORTS:
1. Sew upper sections into a loop.
2. Sew lower sections into a loop {with crotch sewn – i.e. one piece}.
3. Gather the lower ruffle to the lower edge of FLAT upper section. Stitch together.
4. Gather the lower section {shorts} to fit the ruffled edge of upper section {shorts}, right sides together. Note: the lower ruffle will be sandwiched between the upper and lower sections.
5. Attach lining to the main shorts around leg openings, per instructions.
6. Attach lining to main shorts around waist area (not with the waistband yet), per instructions.
7. Attach the upper ruffle to the lower edge of flat waistband.
8. Attach waistband, per instructions. Again, this meant the upper ruffle was sandwiched between the waistband and shorts.
As for the verdict? WE LOVE THEM!
They appear {at times} to be a bubbled, ruffled skirt…..
They are extremely ‘modest’ for an active almost three year old.
And, they will wear well into winter with a pair of leggings underneath.
As for the coordinating top, we used the Oliver + S popover sundress pattern – a free, downloadable PDF pattern. We shortened it by 4 inches, and hemmed per instructions. *And, since today is all about ruffles, we added a tiny ruffle along the yoke area of the front and back.
Thanks again for having us, Kate! We enjoyed being a part of Ruffles 2013…
I have to make these!!! They are just too cute
Awww, thanks! We were soooo pleased with the final product…
Just purchased the pattern based on your review, now to make these up. Thanks for the great tutorial.
Yea! Hope you like them as much as we do….
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the colour combo, the ruffles… everything about it!!! Well done.
Thanks so much…. We lucked up with the matching train :)!
The whole outfit is adorable! I love the top with the ruffly shorts!
Brilliant photo shoot. how on earth did you rustle up a co-ordinating coloured train?!
We pulled a few strings :). Nah, we knew we wanted to take pics by the red caboose and lo and behold but a matching train was there begging us to be used as well….